You may click here to check if you need a visa.
A Schengen visa (Type C) is a visa issued by a Schengen Area member country for transit or stay in part of or all Schengen space. It is not to exceed 90 days over any period of 180 consecutive days. The visa inserted in the relevant travel document bears the name of the territories in which the holder is entitled to stay.
A Member State may request that the other Member States consult it upon receipt of visa applications from nationals of certain third countries or from certain categories of said nationals. The list of the relevant nationalities or categories of nationals is available here: Third countries whose nationals or certain categories of nationals are subject to prior consultation (in French). The visa may be valid for one or more entries.
Professional reasons for a stay in a Schengen country outweigh its jurisdiction on the grounds against tourism, family or private visit in another state.
A national long stay visa (Type D) is only valid for an establishment or a stay of more than 90 days in the country which issued the visa. The national visa allows, however, transit through other Schengen countries and for some (long stay French citizen’s spouse, workers, students or visitors), it also allows traveling freely throughout the Schengen area.
Not all foreign nationals are required to hold a visa to enter the Schengen Area. A visa waiver can be granted on a variety of conditions:
Foreign nationals not required to hold a visa to enter the Schengen Area by virtue of their nationality:
In specific cases, exemptions to these rules can be granted:
Please check here to read more.
Please visit "Coming to France for..." section of France Visas Portal for more information on the scopes of different purposes of travel.
You must submit your visa application to the French consulate (or Embassy) or with a certified service provider (differs from country to country) in the country where you legally reside. In the UK, you must submit your visa application to one of TLScontact Visa Application Centres based in London, Edinburgh or Manchester, except for a few limited categories which must be submitted directly at French Consulate in London.
However, if you are in another country and you can explain why your application could not be submitted to the consulate in your legal place of residence (unexpected circumstances, etc.), your visa application may be accepted.
The Member State authorised to process and rule on visa applications is the one whose territory constitutes the sole (or main) destination of your journey.
When visiting several countries, the competent Member State is the one whose territory constitutes the main destination of your journey in terms of duration. If the main destination can not be determined, the competent Member State is the one the applicant intends to enter first.
In this case, the authorised Member State is the one whose territory constitutes the main destination of the journey in terms of duration.
You must apply for your visa at the French consulate as France constitutes the main destination of your journey in terms of duration even though you are entering the Schengen area via another Member State.
Short stay visa: You may only submit your visa application in 6 months (9 months for seamen) before your scheduled date of arrival in Schengen area/French Overseas(DROM-CTOM).
Long stay visa: You may only submit your visa application in 3 months before your scheduled date of arrival in France.
Please plan your visa application as far in advance as possible.
To apply for a visa, you should first register your visa application on France Visas portal, then register on TLScontact visa centre website to book an appointment and track your visa application process. For more details about the procedure, please click here.
For a stay less than 90 days, click on short-stay visa for more information.
For a stay more than 90 days, click on long-stay visa for more information.
For airport transit, if your nationality requires this type of visa, click on airport transit visa for more information. You may use visa wizard of France Visas Portal to check if you need a visa.
As per French & European laws, negative decisions on visa applications must be notified.
An applicant whose visa has been refused may lodge an appeal against the decision to refuse a visa to the Commission de Recours contre les Décisions de Refus de Visa, BP 83609 44036 Nantes CEDEX 1, within two months of being officially informed. This appeal must be motivated, signed and written in French. It must precede any further appeal to a Court.
If no decision has been communicated to the applicant within 2 months of submission of the file, the case shall be deemed to have been dismissed and can be appealed before the Commission de Recours Contre les Décisions de Refus de Visa.
Source of information: FAQ of France Visas Portal
Only the original documents which must be stamped by the Consulate General of France in London will be sealed in an envelope together with applicant’s passport and be returned to TLScontact Visa Centre.
The original documents that should be returned are generally as follows:
If you have submitted an above-mentioned original document, please check, when you pick up your passport, if the original document has been duly returned and stamped by French Consulate. In case of any problem, please contact immediately visa centres or call centre.
Important: Visa centres do not take or keep any original documents which are not required in a visa application.
Depending on visa categories, original BRP, French acte de marriage (marriage certificate), birth certificate or diploma may be requested to be checked at counter, however visa centre will only keep the photocopies of these documents in a visa application to be transferred to French Consulate.
Yes. While processing your visa application, French Consulate may request you to provide additional documents, information or attend an interview.
Passports can be collected in TLScontact Visa Application Centres during the opening hours to the public.
Once your passport is returned to the same visa centre where you have submitted your visa application, you will be notified online on your personal account page and via automated email.
Please do not come to visa centre before passport is shown as ready for collection. A passport on its way back to centre doesn't mean that passport will be ready for collection on the same day, this is particularly the case for Edinburgh and Manchester centres where passports will still need to be transferred from London centre.
How to collect my passport?
1. Passport collection in Centre
Please bring original and photocopies of the required documents.
Collection in person with the following documents:
Collection by representative with the following documents:
To collect a passport of a minor applicant, the following additional document must be provided:
2. Courier Return Service (currently suspended due to service level of service provider during COVID-19 period)
Personal appearance is mandatory for all visa applicants, unless you are exempted from biometric enrolment.
Exemptions:
If you are exempted from biometric enrolment, a representative can submit a Schengen visa application on your behalf. The representative must provide a signed letter of authorization from yourself (or legal guardians of minor applicants). A representative cannot be a minor under 18 years old.
If you hold a biometric Schengen visa issued within 59 months, you can:
Important: Due to VIS failure, French consulate may have special instruction for some applicants to complete a new biometric enrolment even if they have a previous Schengen visa issued within 59 months.
Attention: This rule does not apply to long stay visa applicants and applicants visiting the DROM-CTOM. Applicants have to complete biometric enrolment step for any new long stay French visa and any new visa to visit the DROM-CTOM.
Personal appearance is mandatory for all visa applicants, unless you are exempted from biometric enrolment.
List of accredited agencies authorised to submit visa applications in visa centre:
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Make sure your browser is up to date and get into the habit of installing software updates whenever they are available.
Internet Explorer (IE) 11 was released in 2013, and no feature updates released by Microsoft in years, which puts this browser behind others in terms of its ability to support new technologies. While Microsoft will continue to provide support for users of IE 11 for a few more years, the new default browser is Microsoft Edge.
Before applying for a visa you must make sure that your passport is valid.
It is advised that you do not apply for a visa on a passport issued for multiple persons (e.g. parent and children together).
You need to make an online registration on France Visas Portal in order to submit a visa application. The application form is downloadable after completion of online form filling.
French visa centres in the UK cannot process a visa application without an application registered on France Visas Portal.
The photograph required for any visa application must be:
For more information, please visit the link here.
In the eventuality that you need to provide a recent compliant photograph to complete your application, a self-service photo booth is at your disposal inside the Visa Application Centre. For more information, please click here.
Travel insurance for Short-stay Schengen visa (less than 90 days):
Due to a regulation of the European Union (Decision 2004/17/CE of December 22nd 2003), there is a requirement to hold travel insurance, which is a compulsory document.
The travel insurance should be:
Health insurance for Long-stay Visitor visa (more than 90 days): New rules updated on 14/05/2021
1. Temporary Long Stay Visitor visa “VLS-T” (duration of stay 90-180 days/year)
2. Long Stay Visitor visa “VLS-TS” (duration of stay over 180 days/year)
In case of retirement in France (applies for Retirees receiving a British retirement pension) :
Download:
Attention: French consular authority reserves the right to ask for any information or documents needed for processing a visa application. If this happens, the consular authority will send an email instruction directly to visa applicant.
Difference between a Travel insurance and a Health insurance:
The Schengen travel insurance covers treatment in the event of an emergency, whilst the requested private health insurance also provides cover for routine treatment and ongoing treatment for pre-exiting conditions.
Upon completion of online registration on France Visas Portal, you will be able to download your application form and France Visas Receipt including the list of documents corresponding to the travel purpose you have chosen.
Before taking this step, you may use visa wizard of France Visas Portal to conduct a quick search of travel purpose and list of documents. Please be extremely careful when you choose personal status or travel document (spouse of French, family member of EU/EEE/Swiss citizen, or type of travel document etc), a wrong choice may lead to wrong travel purpose and wrong information on visa fees.
Every foreigner should be in a position to produce to the Immigration Officer the following supporting documents:
Travellers who cannot provide these supporting documents can be refused entry into the Schengen area, even if they’re holding valid visas. They will have to go back to their starting point by the next available flight.
For more information:
The «Code de l’entrée des étrangers et du droit d’asile» includes the following articles pertaining to entry into France (The “Légifrance” website provides the full updated text):
The “Convention d’Accueil” (formerly known as “Protocole d’Accueil”) (specimen) is an official document obtained from the local police station of your host research institute in France and is similar to a working contract. This document is mandatory for scientists who wish to go to France for the purpose of scientific research. It allows the scientist to apply for a “scientist visa” and, if the stay is longer than 90 days, to obtain a residence permit which mentions “scientist”.
Biometric data already collected for a Schengen visa are valid for 59 months from the date the biometric data capture was done. If you have already provided your biometric data for a previous successful Schengen visa application with one Schengen country, then you do not need to come in person to submit them again if you apply for a new Schengen visa, even with a different Schengen country. You will only have to provide the visa sticker number and photocopy of the visa as a proof during the new visa application procedure. The VIS is a common database to all Schengen countries. After expiry of 59 months, you have to provide fingerprint scans again. You can view the list of Schengen countries here.
This exemption does not apply to long stay visa applicants and applicants visiting the DROM-CTOM. Applicants have to go through the biometric data capture step for any new long stay visa application, even if they already submitted their fingerprints for a previous visa application.
Yes. If you got a refusal to a short or long stay visa application and your biometric data had been collected during the application process, you still have to come in person and submit your biometric data again for any new visa application.
There are 3 cases of exemption:
Minors aged strictly under 12 years old on the day of the application submission do not have to provide their biometric data and therefore do not have to appear in person. Minors aged between 12 and 18 have to come in person to the visa center and provide their biometric data on the day of the application (or following day for ADS applicants). They can choose to submit their application by a representative, and the letter of authorization must be signed by at least one parent or a legal guardian.
No, because the data belong to different databases. Fingerprints provided for a national visa application cannot be used for a Schengen visa application.
The Schengen Area is composed of 26 countries.
The five other European Union Member States still outside the Schengen Area are the Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia.
The following is the list of countries that are currently members of the European Union:
France includes several territories that are outside the European continent, with varying legal statuses and levels of autonomy.
If you are going to a DROM or CTOM the visa fee may be different, please see the visa fees section.
The requirements for a short stay in a DROM and CTOM are the same as for a Schengen visa. You may not apply more than 90 days prior to your departure.
The Schengen visa does not grant entry to a DROM or a CTOM, unless mentioned otherwise on the visa sticker. If you are planning to go to a DROM or a CTOM, you must clearly state it at the time you apply.
Requirements for a long stay in the DROM or CTOM are the same as for a long stay visitor visa. Please note that the processing time can take up to 6 months for CTOM.
*Please note that Saint Martin, Saint Barthélémy are under the DROM visa regime, and the visa fee for those destinations is the equivalent of 60 Euros.
**Since March 31st,2011, Mayotte has changed its status from CTOM to DROM. However, Mayotte is still under the visa regime of a CTOM.
Cases of visa waiving to DROM and/or CTOM
The Consulate General of France in London only processes the visa applications of applicants legally residing in the UK.
Short stay visa allows the traveler, assuming all other conditions are met, to enter the territories of any Schengen country to pay a single continuous visit or multiple visits, the duration of which does not exceed 90 days in any 180 days period. A short stay visa can be issued for either single entry or multiple entries into the Schengen zone.
If you plan to stay in France for more than 90 days, you should apply for a long stay visa.
Any stay longer than 90 days falls under national jurisdiction and is not part of the Schengen Agreement.
Long Stay Visas are known as "Type D" visas and are divided in two categories: temporary long stay and regular long stay.
There are different types of long stay visas:
According to the law of July 24th, 2006, family members of French citizens must have a long stay visa in order to apply for a residence permit in France. This does not apply, however, to citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino and Algeria.
Please note that if you stay longer than 6 months, you will have to apply for a residence permit ("Carte de Séjour") at the local Préfecture of your place of residence within 2 months of arrival in France.
If you plan to work in France, your future employer in France must contact the OFII (ex-ANAEM) ("Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration").
You remain in the airport’s international zone while waiting for the transfer flight to your final destination, and your final destination is located outside the Schengen area.
Please click here to check if you must apply for an “A” airport transit visa (ATV).
You may use visa wizard of France Visas Portal to check if you need a visa.
A circulation visa is a short stay Schengen visa, allowing multiple entries to the Schengen area, valid from 1 to 5 years. The circulation visa grants the applicant a maximum stay of 90 days per period of any 180 days.
Reminder: The circulation visa issued by France can only be renewed within 3 months before the expiration of the current circulation visa and within one year after it has expired.
DREETS (ex DIRECCTE ) are the initials for "les Directions régionales de l’économie, de l’emploi, du travail et des solidarités", which is responsible for work and professional training regulation and authorization.
Click here for more information.
Please click on "Your arrival in France" section for more details.
You must have an insurance certificate covering all medical and hospital expenses for which you may be liable for the duration of your stay in France, as well as medical repatriation costs and expenses in the event of death.
If you are staying in a hotel, you will need to provide a hotel booking as well as a minimum amount per day of stay that differs depending on the Schengen country visited.
For France, this amount is:
If you are hosted by an individual, you must provide a certificate of staying with a relative validated in the town hall at the request of the person who invited you (note: at the border crossing you must also prove that you have, in addition to this certificate, a minimum amount per day of stay - this minimum amount is €32.50 per day).
Please click here for more information (section 3).
Please click on "Your arrival in France" section of France Visas Portal for more information relating to the following situations.
Before applying for a visa you must make sure that your passport is valid:
Visa applications for France are now received by TLScontact, except for some categories that are still received by the Consulate General of France in London directly.
You may only submit your visa application within 90 days before your date of departure. We recommend that you apply at least 20 calendar days before the first available appointment at our center because the visa process takes minimum 15 days.
Your passport must be valid for at least 90 days from the date of your return from the Schengen area if you apply for a short visa and at least 15 months from the date of travel to the Schengen area if you apply for a long visa
To apply for a visa, you should find more details on our procedure page.
In general, everyone is required to enroll biometric information (10 fingerprint and digital photo); only applicants who are within the following categories will be exempted:
Applicants need to provide a photocopy of this visa sticker as a proof. However, the local consular authority may request you to submit the biometric data again.
You can find more detail information on how to take an appointment on TLScontact website here.
Visa application forms can be found on France-Visas website.
The Embassy may request you to provide additional documents or information, according to your personal situation, even after you have submitted your application at TLScontact centre. Please note that any additional document, which is not required in the basic list according to your type of visa, must also be accompanied with a certified translation into either English or French if it is in any other language.
The two photographs required for any visa application must be:
For more information, please visit the link here.
Please check passport collection opening hours on Address page.
Collection in person
When your passport is ready to be collected, you will be notified online on your personal account page and by SMS notification (if you have requested this service), informing you to come to the TLScontact center with:
Collection by representative
Representative may retrieve your passport on your behalf with the documents listed below:
Return by courier
TLScontact offers an Express Courier Return service, allowing you to receive your passport directly at your home or your office. To obtain this service please add it to your cart on the Added Value Services page available when you log into your personal account on our webpage.
If you choose to cancel this service after your application has been submitted, Express Courier Return fee cannot be refunded.
Recipient address and information for this service must be filled in by the applicant or representative during application submission appointment. Once the application has been submitted, no changes can be made to the recipient address and information. We therefore kindly ask you to confirm recipient address and information before the application submission.
TLScontact supports the latest versions of these browsers:
Make sure your browser is up to date and get into the habit of installing software updates whenever they are available.
Internet Explorer (IE) 11 was released in 2013, and no feature updates released by Microsoft in years, which puts this browser behind others in terms of its ability to support new technologies. While Microsoft will continue to provide support for users of IE 11 for a few more years, the new default browser is Microsoft Edge.
Below is a list of typical reasons why your visa application might be rejected by our centre / the French Consular Authorities: